Slide fastener



Dec, 29, 1942. l J. H.' FElsT 2306873 SLIDE FASTENER 4 Filed June e, 1942 2 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR:

ATTRWEX SLIDE FASTENER Filed June 9, 1942 y 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY ments,

Patented Dec. 29, 1942 vUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 'u 2,306,873 SLIDE FASTENER John H. Feist, New York, N'. Y. Application June 9, 1942, SerialNo. 446,338

12 Claims. (Cl. 24-205) My invention relates to separable fasteners, and more particularly to slide fasteners or socalled "zippersf' An object, of my invention is to improve on vwater-proof and air-tight slide fasteners, wherein the sealing effect is obtained by strips of water-proof material engaged with extensions arranged on the interlocking fastener elements as described for example in my copending patent application relating to Slide fastener, Serial No. 425,616, filed Jan- 5, 1942, now Patent No. 2,296,468, granted Sept. 22, 1942.

Another object o'f my invention is to facilitate the manufacture of water-proof and air-tight slide fasteners.

in order to carry out'my invention in practice I provide a slide fastener comprising a. pair of flexible tapes, a series of spaced interlocking; fastener elements connected to each of said flexible tapes along their opposed edges, the interlocking fastener elements having an extension projecting from the upper end of their main por-I tion provided with jaws gripping the edge'of the flexible tape, a split tube-like body of flexible wate -proof material engaged with the extensions of the fastener elements of each series so as to 'embrace said extensions and cover the spaces between said extensions, and a slider on said'interlocking fastener elements for opening and closing same.

The above mentioned objects and advantages as well as other objects and advantages will be more fully disclosed in the following specification reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, wherein: j

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a water-proof slide fastener according to my invention, some portions of the water-proof material being broken away for a better illustration of the 'interlocking fastener elements and the tapes.

Fig. 2 is a sectional enlarged view of a portion of the slide fastener shown in Fig. 1, taken -on line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Figs. 9 and l0 illustrate two steps ,during the manufacture of another embodiment of a slide fastener according to the invention, and

Fig. ll is a sectional view of still another einsediment of a slide fastener according t the invention.

Referring now to Figs. l and 2, l0 and l2 indicate opposed flexible tapes offabric or the like. A series of spaced interlocking fastener elements I4 is connected to the edge of the tape l0 by means of gripping prongs I6 ,arranged on the inner end of the plate-like main portion i8 of the fastener elements. spaced interlocking fastener elements 20 is attached to the edge of the tape I2 by gripping prongs arranged on the inner end of the main portion of said fastener elements. The fastener elements of one series are arranged opposite the spaces between the fastener elements of the other series. Each fastener element has interlocking means 22 arranged for an interlocking engagement with corresponding interlocking means of a fastener element ofthe opposite series. The slide fastener may be closed or opened by a movement of the slider 24 arranged for cooperation with the interlocking fastener elements.

As best shown in Fig.A 2, each fastener element it on the tape ill is provided with an' extension or lug 26 integral with its main portion I8 and projecting fromthe upper endv thereof. Likewise, each fastener element 26 on'the tape i2 is provided with a similar upwardly projecting extension. Instead of arranging an extension on every fastener element of a series, the extensions may be arranged on every second or every third fastener element, if desired. Furthermore, the extensions may be made of separate pieces connected with the main portions of the fastener elements in any suitable manner, for example by soldering. The fastener elements and the extensions may be made of any suitable metallic like body 30 of elastic and flexible water-proof material is engaged with the extensions of the .fastener elements 20 on the tape I2.

A strip 32 of flexible water-proof material extending in the longitudinal direction of the slide fastener above the tape I0 is attached to the latter adjacent one of its longitudinal edges by an adhesive and/or by seams indicated at 34.' The opposite longitudinal edge of said strip 32 is attached to the tube-like body 28 at 36 by ceinenting. for example. 'Ifhe strip 32 may be Likewise, a series of A similar strip 38 is secured to the tape I2 and the tube-like body 30 in a similar manner.

The slider 24 having a pull 40 serves to open and close the interlocking fastener elements I4 and 20 of the slide fastener in conventional manner. The upper plate 42 of the slider 24 cooperates with reinforcing. bandsv 46 and 48 of metal or any other suitable material attached to the tube-like bodies 28 and 30, While the lower plate 50 of the slider 24 cooperates with guiding surfaces 52 arranged on the inner ends of the main'portions of the fastener elements;

As best shown in Fig. 2, the outer edge 54 of the tube-like body 28 is curved in accordance with the curvature of the extension 26, and the outermost point of said curved edge 54 is in alignment with the outer edge 56 of the main portion I8 of the fastenerelement I4. The arrangement of the tube-like body 30 on the extension of the fastener element 20 of the other series is of similar construction. Therefore, the opposed edges 54 and 58 of the elastic tubelike bodies 28 and 3l) contact each other and are tightly pressed against each other so as to be deformed to a 'certain degree for a perfect sealing of the slide fastener, when, upon closure of the slide fastener by the slider 24, the interlocking means arranged at a certain distance inwardly from the outer edges of the main portions of the fastener elements are engaged with each other.

Although the tube-like bodies 28 and 30 tightly grip the extensions of the fastener elements by virtue of their own elasticity, the ends of said tube-like bodies may be held in their. position relative to the tapes I and I2 respectively by additional holding means. For example, the ends of the bodies 28 and-30 may be secured to the tapes II) and I2 by meansof clips 60 or the like.

A slide fastener according to the invention may be readily manufactured in the following manner: A Stringer is prepared with a series of spaced interlocking fastener elements of the type shown in Figs. 1 and 2 attached -to the edge of a iiexible tape. Then, a split tube-like body of water-proof material having a longitudinal slot from one of its ends to the other end is pulled over the extensions of the fastener elements so as to embrace same as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, whereupon a strip of Water-proof material placed on the tape is attached to the latter and to the tube-like body.

Fig. 3 illustrates a diiferent embodiment of my invention. Each interlocking fastener element 2I4 has a recess 6 2, and one longitudinal edge 64 of the strip 32 of water-proof material is clamped into the recesses 62 of the series of fastener elements. The strip 32 is attached to the tape IIJl at its other longitudinal edge by seams 34. One edge of the split tube-like body 28 of water-proof material is cemented to the strip 32 adjacent'the edge 64 thereof at 236. A reinforcing band, such as the reinforcing band 46 shown in Figs. l and 2, is omitted in the embodiment of the slide fastener shown in Fig. 3. If desired, however, such a reinforcing band may be arranged on the body 28.

According to the modification shown in Fig. 4, an edge of the split tube-like body 28 of waterproof material and an edge of the strip 32 of Water-proof material are clamped together into the recesses 362 of the series of fastener elements Furthermore, the contacting surfaces of the body 28 and strip 32 may be connected with each other by an adhesive or the like at 386. The remainingfeatures of this modification correspond to the features of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3. I

Fig. 5 illustrates an embodiment of my invention, wherein the split tube-like body 428 of Water-proof material is provided with a projection 432 forming a strip extending in the longitudinal direction of the slide fastener above the flexible tape I0. The.'l projection 432 is attached to the tape I6 at its free edge by seams 434 and/or an adhesive. The fastener element 4I4 is connected to the edge of the tape I0 by gripping prongs 4I6. The extension 426 of the fastener element has a curved inner edge, so that the guiding edge 68 of the tube-like body 428 is curved accordingly. 'I'he portion of the upper plate 442 of the slider 424 cooperating with said guiding edge 68 is of correspondingly curved shape.

Still another embodiment of my invention is shown in Fig. 6. In this case, one edge of the split tube-like body 528 and one edge of the exible tape 5I() are gripped together by the prongs 5I6 of the fastener element 5I4. The tape 5IU is made of a suitable water-proof material, and, if desired, the contacting surfaces ofthe body 528 and the tape 5I0 may be connected with each other by an adhesive yor in other suitable manner.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 7 is similar to that shown in Fig. 6 with the exception of the fact, that the prongs 6I6 of xthe fastener element 6I4 grip only the edge of the tape 6I0 of water-proof material, and that one of the longitudinal edges of the split tube-like body 628 of water-proof material is connected to the flexible tape 6I0 at 636 by cementing, for example.

According to the embodiment of a slide fastener shown in Fig. 8, the tube-like body 128 embracing the extensions 126 of the fastener elements II4 is integral with the tape 'H0 carry-I -ing a recess 10 near the extension 826 are connected with the edge of the flexible tape 8I0 of water-proof material by means of the prongs 8I6. A band 828 of water-proof material is clamped into the recesses 'I0 of the series -of fas tener elements, whereupon the band 828 is folded over the extensions 826 in the direction of the arrow A shown in Fig. 9 so as to embrace the extensionsl and cover the spaces between the extensions as shown in Fig. 10. The longitudinal edge 836 'of the band 828 is connected to the upper surface of thetape 8YI0.

According to Fig. f1, the extension 926 of the fastener element 9I4 has a curved inner edge I2 producing a corresponding curved inner edge of the tube-like body 928. In -this case, however, a reinforcing wire 14 is attached to the body 928, s o that the portion of the upper plate 842 of the slider 924 cooperating with the wire 'I4 may be straight. The fastener elements 8I4 are attached to the tape IIJ of fabric by means of the prongs Y`9I6, and a strip 32 of water-proof material is Nthe slide fastener is madeaccordingly.

The seams used in my slide fastener may be made water-proof by impregnation or by any other suitable means, if. desired.

I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, but it is clear that numerous changes and omissions may be made vwithout departing from the spirit of my invention. For example, the water-proof material used for some parts of my slide fastener could also consist of a fabric impregnated with a Water-repellingsubstance, if desired. Furthermore, all the novel features or parts thereof shown in connection with one embodiment of my slide fastener may also be applied to one or more of the other embodiments of my slide fastener.

What I claim is:

1. Av slide fastener comprising: a pair of flexible tapes, a series of spaced interlocking fastener elements connected to each of said flexible tapes along their opposed edges, the interlocking fastener elements having an extension projecting from vtheir main portion provided with prongs gripping the edge of the flexible tape, a split tube-like body of flexible water-proof material -engaged with the extensions of the .fastener elements of each series so as to embrace said extensions and the spaces between said extensions,

and a slider on said vinterlocking fastener elements for opening and closing same.

2. A slide fastener as 'claimed in claim 1 including a strip of fiexible water-proof material extending in the longitudinal direction of the slide fastener above each of said flexible tapes, each strip being attached to the tape adjacent one of its longitudinal edges and being connectedl with said tube-like body at its opposite longitudinal edge.

3. A slide fastener as claimed in claim 1 including a strip of flexible water-proof material extending in thelongitudinal direction of the slide fastener above each of said flexible tapes, the interlocking fastener elements of each series having a recess, each strip being attached to the along their opposed edges, the interlocking fastener elements having an extension projecting from their mai-n portion provided with prongsy gripping the edge of the flexible tape, a split tube-like body of flexible water-proof material engaged with the extensions of the fastener elements of each series so as to -embrace said extensions and the spaces between said extensions, each tube-like body having a projection forming a strip extending in the longitudinal direction of the slide fastener above the flexible tape, said projection being attached to said tapeatl its' free edge, and a slider on said interlocking fastener elements for opening and closing same.

5. A slide fastener comprising: a pair of exible tapes, a series of spaced interlocking fastener elements connected to each of said exible tapes along their opposed edges, the interlocking fas-v tener elements having an extension projecting from their main portion provided with prongs gripping the edge of the flexible tape, a split tube-like' body of flexible water-proof material engaged with the extensions of the fastener elements of each series so as to embrace said extensions and the spaces between said extensions, each split tube-like body being connected with said flexible tape at one of its longitudinal edges, and a slider on said interlocking fastener elements for opening and closing same.

' 6. A slide fastener as claimed in claim 5 comprising flexible tapes made of water-proof material.

7. A slide fastener comprising: a pair of flexible tapes, a series of spaced interlocking fastener elements connected to each of said flexible tapes along their opposed edges, the interlocking fastener elementshav'ingan extension projecting from their main portion provided with tape gripping prongs, a split tube-like body of fiexible water-proof material engaged with the extensions of the fastener elements of each lseries so as to embrace said extensions and the spaces between said extensions, the tape gripping prongs on the main portion of the interlocking fastener elements gripping the edgev of the flexible tape and one of the longitudinal edges of said split tube-like body, and a slider on said interlocking fastener elements for opening land closing same.4

8. Arslide fastener as claimed in claim 7 comprising flexible tapes made of water-proof material.

9. A slide fastener comprising: a pair of ilexible tapes of water-proof material, a series of spaced interlocking fastener elements connected to each of `said flexible tapes along their opposed edges, the interlocking fastener elements having an extension projecting from their main portion provided with prongs gripping the edge of the flexible tape, a. split tube-like body of flexible Water-proof material engagedv with the extensions of the fastener elements of each series so as to embrace said extensions and the spaces between said extensions, each tube-like body being integral with a flexible tape, and a slider on said interlocking fastener elements for opening and closing same;

10. A' slide fastener as claimed in claim 1 inc luding reinforcing means arranged on the tubelike body, said reinforcing means forming a guide for cooperation with the slider.

11. A slide fastener as claimed in claim 1 including holding means securing the position of the ends of the tube-like bodies relative to the flexible tapes.

JOHN H. FEIST. 

